Meter



March 28, 1933. H, G. wEYMouTH METER Filed April 6, 1929 Patented Mar.28, 1933 UNITED STATES ,PATENTE OFFICE HARRY G. WEYMOUTH, F PITTSBURGH,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSGNOR TO PITTSBURGH EQUITABLE METER COMPANY, OFPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION METER Application ined April e,

The present invention relates to meters.

More specifically, the invention relates to water or other liquid metersof the rotary or iiutating disk type and pertains particularly t0 thereduction gearing in such meters, and to the manner of supporting andarranging such gearing.

Meters of this character, as is well known, comprise a casing providedwith inlet and outlet openings between which openings are disposedmeasuring elements arranged to be actuated by the passage of the liquidfrom the inlet to the outlet thus imparting movement to a spindle, whichin turn imparts movement to a gear train heretofore disposed in variousways in said casing above said measuring elements. The gear train is inoperative connection with a registering mechanism mounted in a registerbox on said casing whereby said registering mechanism is driven by saidgear train at a considerably reduced speed from that of said spindle.

The connection between the gear train and registering mechanism isordinarily effected through a spindle rotatably mounted in a stuflingbox designed to prevent leakageV around the spindle. To accomplish thisresult successfully the stuffing box and spindlev are constructed so asto provide a liquidtight joint. Such a joint necessarily imposes acertain amount of friction on the spindle which must be overcome by themeter. As the meter is actuated by the flowing liquid, this resistancemay become great enough, un-

less the gear reduction is ample, to render the meter unresponsive tosmall flows, because the resistance to the rotation of the spindleexceeds the forces exerted on the measuring elements by'such flows, withthe result that 3 the liquid Hows around said elements, which must berelatively loosely associated to avoid excessive friction at this point,without actuating them.

In the so-called Arctic meters, which are adap-ted forinstallation invery cold climates, provision is generally made for re-` lieving theoperating parts of permanent damage upon the'freezing of liquid'in thecasing. This is sometimes effected by forming said bottom plate of thecasing of cast iron 1929. Serial No. 353,186.

held in place by securing lugs whereby upon the exertion of pressure byexpanding ice, the securing lugs on said bottom plate are broken' off,thus relieving the gear train from the effects of the expanding ice andthus avoiding permanent injury thereto.

In meters of this character itis desirable to make the upper portion ofthe gear casing small in diameter for making the pressure of theexpanding ice more effective in breaking the bottom plate thus renderingthe working parts less liable to injury should ice be formed by thefreezing of liquid within the casing. The necessity for limiting theupper portion of the casing limits the space available for the insertionof the reducing gearing and has restricted the number of gears used inthe reducing gear train.

Reduction gearing heretofore employed in meters is of differingconstructions, but it has become quite customary to employ reductiongearing constructions that comprise three sets of gears. It has beenproposed to enclose the reduction gearing in a closed casing for thereception of-oil in which the gears l' friction on Vthe sulfing boxspindle was such as to impose suliicient resistance to prev-entoperation of the meter on such flows.

It is accordingly, a primary object of this invention to provide areduction gear train embodying gears of usual form for vliquid meters,which is compact and is interchangeable with gear trains now in use foreffecting a substantially greater reduction in the speed of rotation ofthe registering mechanism operating spindle, so that the meter willoperate on low ows.

Itis a still further object of the present invention tov provide areduction gear train adapted Vfor interchangeability with gear trainsnow in use, and comprising a casing having a multiplicity of gearsrotatably journaled therein, said casing adapted to be interposedbetween the nutating disk chamber and registering mechanism in accurateoperative connection therewith.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a gear reducingtrain supported and arranged for convenient, ready, but accurate unitaryinsertion in a meter so as to provide relativ-ely great reduction inspeed of the register operating spindle, but arranged to operate with anextremely low friction opposing the actuation of the metering elements.

lith the above objects in view as well as others, that will becomeapparent during the course of the following disclosure, reference willbe had to the accompanying drawing forming part of same and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a water meterdisclosing an application of my invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the reduction gear train unitas seen on line 2 2 of Fig. 3, the gears being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 particularlyillustrating the compact arrangement of the individual gears in the gearcasing.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters in which likecharacters designate like parts, 10 designates the meter casing which,as indicated at 11 is of relatively small diameter at the top thereof,in accordance with present practices.

Casing 1() is provided with an internal seat 12 to receive the meteringmechanism. The space within casing 10 above seat 12 is designed for thereception of the reduction gearing. r1`he metering mechanism ormeasuring chamber comprises a chamber casing 13 including a pair ofhollow non-corrodible members 14 and 15 fitting accurately together and,preferably, presenting a slightly tapered exterior surface fittingsnugly in casing 10. The interior of casing 13 is shaped in the usualmanner for the reception of the nutating disk 16 and its central ball17. Partition 17 of well known form separates the inlet of casing 13from the outlet of said casing, said outlet discharging into the metercasing outlet. These parts form no partof the present inventionconsidered by themselves and apart from the combination in which theyare used.

Casing 10 is provided with the usual inlet and outlet nipples 18 and 19.Casing 10 is further provided adjacent the bases of connections 18 and19 with a seat 21 for the reception of suitable packing rings 22 againstwhich the base of a cast iron cap 23 is secured by means of bolts 24extending through slotted lugs 25, integral with cap 23, which lugs maybe formed so that they will break 10, thus mechaolf upon freezing ofwater in casing ayoiding damage to the metering msm.

As in usual practice, a suitable screen 26 is secured within casing 1()at the juncture therewith of inlet nipple 18.

rl`he top of casing 10 is provided with a horizontal wall 27 providedwith an outwardly diverging iange 28 and furtherl provided centrally offlange 28 with a. centrally vertically apertured externally threadedboss 29, which is indicated, is provided with a dished outer end 31.Flange 28 defines with casing l() a recess 32 for the reception of thebase of a bell shaped casing member 33 on the outer edge of which issupported the register box 34 in which is operatively supported theregister mechanism. Pivotally secured to box 34 at 35 is an observationcover 36.

Rotatably supported in the aperture of boss 29 is a spindle 37 to theouter end of which secured a pinion 38 meshing with a gear 39 withincasing 33, which gear is operatively connected to the register mechanismwithin box 34 in well known manner. Threaded on boss 29 and definingtherewith a stuliing box is a cap 41 between which and the outer end ofboss 29 is disposed a packing- 42 for preventing the ingress of water tothe register mechanism well as serving to retain lubricant for spindle37. 1t is the packing 42 that tends to impose a resistance to rotationof the measuring elements. Carried hy the lowerl end of spindle 37 is afork or coupling element 44 provided with transversely alined recesses45 for a purpose later explained.

As in usual practice ball 17 is provided with an axial pin 47 commonlycalled the control bar and which, as shown, further functions as a boltfor holding the parts of the ball together. To this end pin 47 isprovided with a flange 48 seated in a recess 49 in one of the sectionsof ball 17 and the pin is threaded at the lower end thereof forengagement by a nut 51 seated in a recess 52 in the other section ofball 17.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art the flow of water orother fluid from inlet nipple 18 passes through an inlet in the diskchamber casing 13, passes around said casing imparting movement to thenutating disk 16 and then passes through outlet 19. The movement of saiddisk. imparts movement to pin 47 through ball 17, the motion of pin 47being communica-ted to the integrating` train or registering mechanismthrough spindle 37, meshing pinion 38 and gear 39 by an interposedreduction gearing unit or mechanism, which forms the particular subjectmatter of the present invention.

The reduction gearing unit comprises a cylindrical casing 54 providedwith a plurality of supporting legs 55 integral therewith.v At the lowerends thereof said legs are integrally united with a ring 56 providedwith an annular recess designed to snugly receive flange 57 of casing13. Ring 56 and the gear casing are thus accurately located on thecasing. Said ring is detachably secured by screws 58 to casing 13 inspaced relation thereto, as well as in accurate position for cooperationwith pin 47 and spindle 37.

Reduction gear units, variously mounted for detachable engagement invarious ways with the nutating disk chamber, have heretofore beenprovided, but such constructions are not entirely satisfactory on verylow flows for the reason that the constructions were not provided withsufficient reducing gears to minimize the eifect of friction impos-ed onthe register operating spindle by the necessary packing of the stufngboX of that spindle. t

Such prior constructions also failed to register small flows because ofinaccuracies in the mounting of the reducing gearing introducingfrictional resistance to the operation of the registering mechanism thatprevented its operation on small flows due to the fact that the flowingliquid encountered less resistance in flowing around the measuringelements than in actuating said elements. The construction justdescribed provides for the accurate location of the reducing gear withrespect to spindles 47 and 37, since the locating surfaces on ring 56and fiange 57 may be finished with accuracy providing a L constructionof extreme simplicity and low cost that may be readily assembled so asto.

bring the parts of the gear train in exactly the position necessary toavoid the introduction of unnecessary friction due to improperalinement. The effect of the friction on spindle 37 on the meteringelements is further minimized by increasing the amount of reduction inthe movement of shaft 37 compared to the movement of disk 16.

The casing 54 is of vsubstantially the same overall diameter as reducinggearing sets heretofore provided, so that it may be readilyinterchangeable for sets giving lesser reduction. Itis further providedwith gearing for effecting a much greater reduction in the speed ofrotation of the register operating spindle without providing acumbersome arrangement, whereby less r-esistance is imposed on themetering mechanism resulting in a certain, smooth and accurate operationof said mechanism under small flows.

Gear casing 54, as indicated, is provided with a detachable cover plate61 which is preferably detachably secured to the body 62 of casing 54 bybolts 63, scr-ew threaded into lugs 65 integral with body 62. Coverplate 61 is provided with an annular locating shoulder 66 accuratelyfitting in body 62 so as to properly and immovably locate the bearingsin said cover` plate in accurate alinement with the bearings in thebottom of said body.

The bottom of casing 54 is provided centrally thereof with a downwardlyprojecting sleeve 68 in which is positioned a bearing bushing 69provided with a positioning head 71 in the form of an annular flange,said flange being countersunk in the outer end of sleeve 68. Rotatablyjournaled in bushing 69 is a shaft 72 to the inner end of which a dogcrank 73 is secured. Said crank maintains the nutating disk pin guidingroller 75 in position on sleeve 68 with crank 73 positioned foroperative engagement by pin 47 for rota tion of shaft 72 upon movementof pin 47 induced by the movement of nutating disk 16.

Shaft 72 on the outer end thereof is provided with a pinion 76 inmeshing engagement with a gear 77 provided with a spindle 78 the innerand outer ends of which are rotatably journaled in bearings 79 and 81 inbody 62 and cover plate 61 respectively. Secured to spindle 78 invertically spaced rela tion to gear 77 is a gear 81 of less diameterthan gear 77.. Gear 81 is in meshing engagement with a gear 82 securedto a spindle 83 rotatably journaled in bearings similar to bearings 79and 81. Secured to spindle 83 below gear 82 is a pinion 84 in meshingengagement with a gear 85 secured to a spindle 86 also rotatablyjournaled in bearings similar to bearings 79 and 81. Secured to spindle86 above gear 85 is a pinion 87 in meshing engagement with a gear 88secured to a spindle 89 rotatably journaled at the inner and outer endsthereof in bearings 79 and 81 in body 62 and cover plate 61respectively. Secured to spindle 89 above gear 88 is a pinion 91 inmeshing engagement with a gear 92 provided with a vertically extendingshaft 93 rotatably journaled in a bearing bushing 94 ina cylindricalextension 95 of cover plate 61. Shaft 93 is provided with a laterallyprojecting actuating pin 96 for operative engagement with recesses 45 ofcoupling element 44 before referred to for imparting rotation to spindle37.

It will be seen from the foregoing disclosure that the individual gearsand cooper-- ating pinions are supported on spindles and shaftsrotatably journaled in vertically alined bearings in' cover plate 61 andcasing body 62 whereby assembly as a unit with the measuring chamber maybe expeditiously effected. At the same time all of the parts projectingfrom the reduction gear casing are brought into exactly the properposition for efficient cooperation with the metering and registeringelements, minimizing friction in the operation of the whole assembly.

It will be further seen that while a comparatively large number of gears(here indicated as five sets in number) are employed for effecting agreaterV speed reduction of spindle 37 the gears are so disposedrelative to each other as to provide a compact arrangement, whereby theenclosing casing therefor does not occupy more space than reductiongearing now in use, but giving much less reduction, whereby the casingcan be readily accommodated in the upper reduced casing section ofmeters now in use. Accordingly, the novel gearing arrangement may bereadily substituted for gearing now in use in order to reduce frictionand secure operation of the register on low flows. The invention hasbeen shown as applied to a meter of the nutating disl; type, but it maybe readily applied to other types of meters.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing' description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

`What l claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A unitary reduction gear train adapted for detachable connection in aWater meter for imparting rotation of the driving means to the registerat substantially reduced speed; said gear train comprising a casingconsisting of a body portion and a removable cover plate, a verticallydisposed shaft rotatably journalled in the base of said body portion,

said shaft provided with means on the end thereof external to saidcasing for driving engagement with said driving means and provided onthe opposite end thereof with a pinion, a vertically disposed spindlerotatably joui-nailed at opposite ends thereof in said body portion andsaid cover plate, a gear carried by said spindle in oper tive engagementwith said pinion, a second gear car ied by said spindle in verticallyspaced relation to said first gear, a second vertically disposed spindlerotatably ournalled at opposite ends thereof in said body portion andsaid cover plate, a gear carried by said second spindle in operativeengagement with said second gear of said first spindle, a pinion carriedby said second spindle below said gear carried thereby, a thirdvertically disposed spindle g rotatably journalled at opposite endsthereof in said body portion and said cover plate, a gear carried bysaid third spindle in operative engagement with said pinion carried bysaid second spindle, a pinion carried by said third spindle above saidgear carried thereby, a fourth vertically disposed spindle rotatablyournalled at opposite ends thereof in said body portion and said coverplate, a gear carried by said fourth spindle in operative engagementwith said pinion carried by said third spindle, a pinion carried by saidfourth spindle above said gear carrier thereby, a shaft rotatablyjournalled in said cover plate in vertical alinement with said firstshaft7 said last shaft provided on the end thereof external to saidcasing with means adapted for driving engagement with a register andprovided on its opposite end witha gear in operative engagement withsaid pinion carried by said fourth spindle; said gears and said pinionsbeing` of such relative dimensions that the speed of rotation of saidlast shaft is greatly reduced.

2. The combination defined in claim l in which said spindles arerotatably journalled in vertically alined bearings in said body portionand said cover plate, and in which said cover plate is provided with anannular flange to aline it with said body portion.

3. The combination defined in claim l in which said spindles aredisposed in partially encircling relation to said vertically alinedshafts and in substantially equally spaced relation thereto whereby areduction gear train of substantial compactness is provided.

el. A liquid meter having a supporting casing; a measuring chamber'rigidly positioned therein; a registering mechanism rigidly positionedin said casing in fixed cooperative relation to said measuring chamber;a train of five sets of reduction gears disposed in said casing betweensaid measuring chamber and said registering mechanism, and havingdriving and driven shafts associated therewith; a housing formed of acup shaped container and a cover completely enclosing said reductiongears fiXedly mounted in said casing between said registering mechanismand said measuring chamber, said housing and gears therein being readilyinsertable into a meter having a lesser number of sets of reductiongears; said driving shaft extending through the bottom of saidcontainer; an elongated bushing carried solely by said container andsupporting said driving shaft; said driven shaft extending through saidcover, and an elongated bushing carried solely by said cover andsupporting said driven shaft.

In testimony whereof I atiii; my signature.

HARRY G. VVEYMOUTH.

